Tongue Twisters, Expressions, and Classic Lines

When our kids were younger (maybe 2 and 4), if we said something that they took too literally, we would tell them, "It's just an expression...." - to assure them that we were, in fact, not speaking literally.

You know, like:

"That guy really gets my goat!"

My daughter from a very young age "got" that, and if she was ever unsure of what we meant, she'd say, "That's just an expression, right Mama?"

Flash forward to several days ago.  My daughter (13) and I were talking about a teen couple who had broken up - and wondering if they were still friends.  Since my daughter has not had a boyfriend yet, I bestowed this knowledge upon her:  "You know, sometimes when a guy and girl break up, it really hurts -- and it's hard to be just friends."  She just looked at me incredulously and said, "Mom, I DO watch T.V!"

Oh, well pardonnez-moi.  Sheesh.

Anyway, we had a good chuckle over that.

My, how she's grown up!

Today, my dear Hubby brought home a book from the library entitled Instant Genius (Fast Food for Thought - bite-size morsels of essential [and not so essential] knowledge) by The Knowledge Commons (2008 Portable Press).  We have barely scratched the surface of this book.  But, here's one factoid that we've learned:

Q:What is a gnomon?

A:The part of a sundial that casts a shadow.

So, at the dinner table, we brought up sundials, and asked the kids if (in relation to sundials) they knew what a gnomon was.  Our dear daughter said, "You mean like "Gnomon Ruminals?"  (Say it a few times out loud with a long first "o" in gnomon.)

Yes, Roman Numerals!!!!

VIII

We laughed because "Roman Numerals" has always been a tongue twister for her.  It made me think of all the other times we've laughed with her about the things that come out of her mouth.  Here are a few classics (apparently she was on a roll when she was 8 because I wrote them down!):

8 yrs. old:

• She said to Mommy, who was wearing cute p.j.'s at the time... "You are so adorable!  You must take after me!"
• Approaching Mommy, she says very seriously, "What does baby fat look like when it comes off?"
• "Children have so many questions on their minds.  That's one of my favorite parts of being a child!"
• After doing some Christmas shopping together, she said, "Did I ever tell you that apple-cinnamon is my favorite holiday fragrance?"  (seriously? -- you're eight!)

Then there was the time that we were talking about someone who was curious, and we said, "You know what they say, "Curiosity killed the cat!"  After a moment, she said, "Mama, whose cat was it?"

Oh, there is never a dull moment around here.  We never know what she will say next.

By the way, the sweet 13-year-old of whom I speak has approved this post.  (Quick, hit "publish!")

These family moments make me smile!

 A "no rules" blog hop.